Happel’s hard work leads to success and new experiences

LISBON - The road less taken has allowed Carter Happel to travel all over the country and even overseas.

The Lisbon junior wrestler has parlayed hard work, dedication and sacrifice into a vehicle to travel from small-town Iowa to distant states and continents, facing the best competition in the world. He appreciates the exposure to other people, cultures and wrestling styles the sport has provided.

'Wrestling has taken me to a lot of places,” said Happel, a 2014 Cadet U.S. World Team member, who competed in Europe in July. 'It's really fun. I've been to a lot of places for wrestling. It's been a really good experience.”

Happel will take all that experience into the prep wrestling season where he will attempt to join the 79 three-time state champions in Iowa history with a chance to join even more exclusive club of four-time state titlists.

Happel's recent journeys have sounded close to a Johnny Cash song. He has been everywhere from Las Vegas to Colorado Springs to Fargo, N.D., to Akron, Ohio to Snina, Slovakia. Happel has taken advantage of each opportunity, winning national Cadet freestyle titles and learning different styles from various wrestler from as far away as Ukraine.

The experience on the international level was really good for me,” Happel said. 'When I was over there, it was very different. I got to see a lot of new things.”

Wrestling also allowed him to learn off the mat as well. He observed the differences between home and abroad, including the layout of an Austrian hotel he visited for a sauna workout during a layover in Vienna, the language barrier of local workers and the 'neat” stores and restaurants.

'That was the first time I have ever left the country,” Happel said. 'It was fun.

'It was an all-around good time.”

Happel's father, Dean, said his son has been blessed by the sport. His son's devotion has paid dividends.

'He has used that to see the world,” said Dean Happel, who was a three-time state champion for Lisbon from 1982-84 that wrestled for Dan Gable at the University of Iowa. 'Anybody who has done any type of international wrestling or competed at a high level will tell you they put a lot of hard work in but the reward you get out of it allows you to see the world, see different competition and meet different people.”

Relationships have been forged through the sport as well. Dean Happel said his son has always had a strong group of friends and supporters in Lisbon and across the state. He has gotten to know nationally-ranked competitors like Mark Hall and Spencer Lee through freestyle wrestling, which led to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

'It helps your whole circle grow,” Dean Happel said. 'The friendships he has because of wrestling is unbelievable.”

The younger Happel is quick to recognize his dad and mom, Dawn, for making these excursions a reality. They have logged every mile with him, including to Slovakia.

'They're definitely my No. 1 fans,” Carter Happel said. 'They've done a lot for me. I wouldn't be where I am without either of them. They've taken me everywhere. My dad is one of my best coaches.”

The results, feats and honors aren't what make Dean most proud. He said he enjoys his son's humility, following the family's rule that character comes first.

'Carter is one of the most humble people in the world,” Dean Happel said. 'He can walk into a room and you'd have no idea who he is or that he has gone overseas to represent his country or is a two-time state champ by the way he carries himself.”

If anyone had a chance to brag, he would. Happel has been dominant on the prep scene, winning the Class 1A 132-pound title last season with a 53-0 mark. He claimed the 120-pound title as a freshman. He is motivated by matching the high he received from accomplishing his goals.

'There is a lot of sacrifice involved,” said Carter Happel, who has a career mark of 96-1 and looking to become Lisbon's first three-time state champion since Ryan Morningstar (2003-05). 'Sometimes you just have to do stuff on your own, when no one is watching. Do extra stuff your opponents aren't doing or when they're not doing anything you have to do something.

'That stuff keeps me driven toward my goals, and just setting my goals high, working hard to try to achieve them.”

Lisbon Hall of Fame Coach Brad Smith has coached three four-time champions (Scott Morningstar, Shane Light and Jeff McGinness) and three-timers like Royce Alger, Dean Happel, Ike Light, Johnny Galloway Jr. and Kyle Anson.

'He's as good as anybody I've coached,” Smith said. 'He's good mentally and has poise. He never gets flustered or panics in any situation.”

Smith praised Happel for his technique, unselfishness, willing to wrestle up a weight for the team, and how he welcomes any challenge. Smith said Happel is usually the last one to leave the room and will always do what is asked.

'The thing that really sets him apart from other guys is he always knows what he's going to do,” Smith said. 'he gets it done. He has a game plan. That is huge. He's very focused.”

Happel watched as Denver-Tripoli's Brandon Sorensen and Creston's Jake Marlin won their fourth title during his freshman year. Union Community's Max Thomsen will attempt to win a fourth this season. Even though he deflects talk of a fourth title before getting a third, Happel envisioned being in their shoes.

'I got the feeling of me being on there,” said Carter Happel, who will begin the season at 138. 'I hope Max gets it this year. Hopefully, in two years, it will be my turn.”

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